Building a Lesson
Instructional Method:
Should I write an online module on this topic? Should the group discussion take place in class? Is a demonstration of the concept more suitable in the online portion of the course? These questions are examples of some of the issues you might be looking to answer as you build your blended course. Essentially, the question to ask is how the specific learning objective at hand can be delivered most effectively. That is, determine whether the content or interaction of the course should be addressed in the face-to-face class session, online, or both. The one caveat to keep in mind is to avoid unintended replication that could be perceived as pointless by your students.
Defining a Course Interaction and Assessment Strategy:
Determining the types of activities, assignments, interactive exercises and assessment is crucial as students need to understand the applicability of what they are learning. Providing sufficient examples and opportunities to practice the knowledge and skills they are acquiring is key for their self-assessment and your assessment on whether they are closer to achieving the proficiency expected of them. For instance, watching a video segment prior to class could lay the foundation for a class discussion. Online discussions can be used to carry on a conversation that students found very interesting during a class session. Games could be used as a starter to a conversation or to self-assess. The possibilities are endless.There are a number of ways that students can interact with activities and assignments, it can be Student-to-Student, Student-to-Content, Student-to-Instructor, or Student-to-Other
Communication:
Communication and feedback are crucial in building a quality and satisfactory blended learning experience. Some of the most successful communication approaches encourage plenty of appropriate student-to-instructor contact; collaboration and interaction among students; prompt feedback; and communication of expectations and protocols from the very beginning of the course.
Access the Blended Learning Toolkit Links to an external site. for more information.